Four-time gold medalist Kevin Durant tells Vincent Goodwill of ESPN he wants to represent Team USA again at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The 37-year-old Rockets forward, who is the U.S men’s team’s all-time leading scorer in Olympic competition, did add a caveat, however.
“Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant said. “I would love to, but I’ve got to stay on top of my game. I’m not expecting, I want to produce on the floor and make (managing director) Grant (Hill) and whoever is making the decisions, want to put me on the team. I don’t want — not just for seniority. I want to still prove I can help the team win.
“Today, yeah I feel like I’ll put my name in that hat.”
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Speaking of the 2028 Olympics and USA Basketball, Zach Kram of ESPN takes an early look at potential candidates for the Americans’ roster. Kram predicts that Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Jalen Duren, Amen Thompson, Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Tyrese Haliburton, Bam Adebayo and Jayson Tatum will be the 12 players selected (they’re listed by age). Durant could take the final wing spot on the roster, according to Kram, but only if he’s still “engaged and deserving” two-plus years from now.
- Partizan Belgrade is expected to loan former No. 2 overall pick Jabari Parker to Spanish club Joventut Badalona for the rest of the season, according to a report from Mozzart Sport (hat tip to Sportando). Parker been away from the Serbian club for several weeks, last playing on January 9. The veteran power forward is still under contract with Partizan through 2026/27, though his future with the team is uncertain.
- Shooting guard Armoni Brooks, who played parts of three NBA seasons from 2020-24, has been named MVP of the Italian Cup after helping lead Olimpia Milano to a title in the domestic tournament, per Fabio Cavagnera of RealOlimpiaMilano.com (hat tip to Sportando). The 27-year-old said he “100%” wants to re-sign with the Italian squad.
Maxey over Haliburton, easily.
I think Maxey could fit as he provides much needed speed.
Espn just be making the list at random. Jaylen Brown should be on that list no question as he is likely if not already best two way player.
My sleeper big man would be Clingan as he can play a Tyson Chandler like spot maybe more than Duren. Both would be good but Clingan is a taller big.
I posted this in the hoops rumors chat transcript post, before this news post was made:
Julian#15
“I read Zach Kram’s proposed 12 man roster for USA in the 2028, and I find it atrocious.
The final 12 he chose, I don’t see them winning.
The logical consideration of a wider 25 or so player pool, is followed by a terrible 12 choice. I actually see that group not destined to winning the championship.
My 12 would be:
Ant Edwards
Cade
Flagg
Scottie Barnes/Haliburton (I would bring Barnes and Flagg, but Haliburton should be the team’s PG)
Embiid/AD (assuming healthy)
KD
Maxey
Holmgren
Tatum
Jaylen Brown/Kawhi
Booker
Evan Mobley
Amen Thompson (defensive specialist)
Maybe Jaylen Brown overlaps with other forwards,but, as if today, he really deserves it.
If Kawhi continues like now, he goes there obviously.
Tough outs: Donovan Mitchell.
Players I would like to play: Trae, Zion (I can’t believe he is not there, but, as of right now, it seems like that).
Lebron and curry already said they won’t go. If they change their mind, obviously they are in. KD said he wants to go”
On the ESPN prediction list swap Bam for Jalen Johnson for sure. Jalen Williams, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton are also weak links.
Why no Steph? He’s the reason they won the gold.
KD over Chet…. easy peasy.
Brown, Booker, Maxey.